Good News for BC Salmon Farmers

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - An article and editorial printed in yesterday's edition of The Daily News in Nanaimo provide refreshing perspective on the opportunities for salmon farming in coastal BC, says the BC Salmon Farmers Association.

The editorial highlights the need for all British Columbians to participate in the growth of an environmentally-sound and successful salmon farming industry.

The editorial, "Support the BC salmon farming industry", states “With 43 per cent of all fish-related food products in the world now being farmed, there is no turning back. Fish farms are one reality that we need to accept as a necessity to feed the current global population.”

“If B.C. misses out on this industry, with our coastline and technology, it would be like failing to cut and sell timber from this province," says the news item.

"Salmon farmers don't want operations that are not environmentally sound, even though opponents can make it sound like they don't care.

"Salmon farmers are as concerned as anybody with solving these environmental challenges.

"Critics need to be part of that solution because this industry will survive long after they are gone.”

Robert Barron’s article in the same edition puts the economic opportunities for the local industry in a global context and finishes with the following quote from Mary Ellen Walling, BCSFA Executive Director:

"There's a growing understanding that we need the farms to meet the needs as the world's population increases," Walling said. "Our fish farms are working hard on progressive preventative treatments to reduce their impacts on the environment and these measures are proving to be quite successful. Our products are being received well internationally, particularly in the U.S., and we hope to expand our markets."